Our Industry Profile takes a weekly look at some of the professionals working across the advertising, ad tech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles and companies across this buzzing industry.
This week, we head to Sydney to meet Venessa Hunt, mobile strategy and advertising manager for Yahoo7.
Duration in current role/time at the company: 18 months
In one sentence, how would you describe what the company does? Yahoo7’s vision is to make Australia’s daily habits inspiring and entertaining. I’m lucky enough to work in a company that brings together the best global technology and Australia’s favourite content.
In one sentence, what does your role involve? I’m responsible for the commercialisation of all Yahoo7's mobile properties.
Within the last six months, what stands out as the company’s major milestones? We have had a mammoth six months!! My highlights, from a mobile stand point are livestreaming the Australian Open into the 7Sports apps, launching PLUS7 continuous viewing, which allows users to pick up watching shows where they have left off - on any device, launching Australian-first mobile-rich media, and seeing the growth and strength of our Native Advertising solutions. This month will see another huge milestone with the launch of Tumblr in Australia and New Zealand – which I am super excited about.
Best thing about the industry you work in: CHANGE! I love the speed of change. Our Industry is moving, maturing and innovating at such a great pace. It’s like having a new job every few months which keeps me learning and passionate about the possibilities.
Previous industry-related companies you have worked at: Exponential, launching their mobile division Appsnack in Australia, business development at Mi9, heading up production at Mobile Embrace.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years' time? Who knows? But definitely still working with strategy and change management for emerging media.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you? Hmm … there isn’t much, I am a very what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of person. But perhaps my love of real books – there is nothing like physically turning pages, there is a certain romance to it, which reading electronically doesn’t give you. Oh, and I wear glasses, but not when people are watching.
Top networking tip: Listen to others. I see a lot of people very keen to just talk about themselves when networking. If you want meaningful networking, the art is in the listening – not in the talking.
My favourite restaurant for a business lunch is: I’m a big fan of the pub lunch, it's where the real conversations happen.
My favourite advert is: Way back, we launched an interactive mobile ad for Kit Kat where you “unwrapped” the new Kit Kat Chunky – it was ground-breaking at the time, and showed the potential of HTML5 and mobile interactivity - that was six years ago, and look how far we've come.
My must-have gadget is: Obviously my phone, I really can't live without it. Handy given the business I am in.
My favourite media is: Digital, I feel like that’s an easy one to answer.
My favourite TV show is: I love how accessible shows are now with the launches of AVOD and SVOD services so this one is hard! I find addiction in things like Game of Thrones and Vikings but also appreciate local productions closer to home. I'm a fan of My Kitchen Rules. Pretty excited about some of the new exclusive content Plus7 have launched like the new series Sin City Saints.
The last book I read: Work-wise - Arianna Huffington’s Thrive, and personally, This Is a Call: The Life and Times of Dave Grohl.
My mantra/philosophy is: Don’t commit to something you can't deliver.
I got into the industry because: I’ve always enjoyed new technology and the chance to connect people and stories.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be: Running a wine bar.
In five years' time I'll be: Owning a wine bar. Ha ha.
Define your job in one word: Ever-changing
What's your poison: Bourbon
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